Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Showcases Swachhta Udyami Yojana Success Story
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment published a case study demonstrating the impact of the Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) scheme through the journey of Mekala Nancharamma, a 30-year-old Scheduled Tribe community member from Guntur. Ms. Nancharamma worked as a waste picker for Guntur Municipal Corporation for nearly 12 years, compelled into this work due to severe financial hardship that prevented her from attending school and left her illiterate. Her waste-picking work provided limited and irregular income of approximately ₹8,000 per month, making it difficult to meet household expenses and secure better opportunities for her children while living in a slum environment with limited access to basic amenities.
Through Navajeevan Organisation, Ms. Nancharamma received assistance under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana via a group project involving two members. The project provided financial assistance for procurement of an Open Nallah Cleaner (Tractor-Mounted) with a total project cost of ₹16,99,952. This comprised a loan component of ₹10,24,964 and a capital subsidy of ₹6,74,988. The mechanized equipment enabled her to move beyond traditional waste-picking activities and participate in a more organized and sustainable livelihood, earning an additional ₹10,000 per month.
Her monthly income increased from approximately ₹8,000 to around ₹18,000, bringing significant improvement in her family's financial circumstances. The increased income has better positioned her to meet household expenses, support her children's education, and improve the family's overall standard of living. The livelihood opportunity has also strengthened her financial security, confidence, and sense of dignity. Ms. Nancharamma stated that the support helped her move beyond traditional waste-picking work, earn more stable income, and gain greater confidence and dignity.
The case study demonstrates how targeted financial assistance, access to mechanized equipment, and sustainable livelihood opportunities can help vulnerable communities move toward economic independence and self-reliance, transitioning from dependence on irregular work to organized livelihoods with dignity.